ISSUE NO. 92, OCTOBER 2016 MNO President Froh keeps key election commitment MNO launches Commission on Métis Rights & Self-Government See more on page A3 Members of the recently announced Commission on Métis Rights and Self-Government (left to right) Victor Brunelle, Karen Drake, Pearl Gabona, Senator Marlene Greenwood, Nelson Montreuil, Kim Powley, Paul Robitaille and MNO President Margaret Froh (above). PRESIDENT 10th ANNUAL POWLEY DAY FROH & MÉTIS MÉTIS MESSAGE YOUTH PADDLE HERITAGE From President Froh WITH JUSTIN CELEBRATION Page A4 TRUDEAU Page C4 Page A9 40025265 Métis Voyageur A2 October 2016, Issue no. 92 The Métis Voyageur October 2016 Produced by the Métis Nation of Ontario Communications Branch: Julie Cruikshank Mike Fedyk Sara Kelly Marc St. Germain Contributors: Richard Aubin Katie Baltzer Rob Baskey Tera Beaulieu Alicia Blore Wanda Botsford Paula Bouchard Jessica Boulard-Poirier Jade Bourbonnière Bridget Bowman Rachelle Brunelle-McColl Breton Burke Clint Calder Mitch Case Shelly Claus Urgel Courville Terri-Lynn Dion Craig Goyetche Larry J. Ferris Sentor Reta Gordon retires from Margaret Froh Greg Garratt Ron Gignac role as PCMNO Executive Senator Steve Gjos Erin Hadaway Leona Hass fter 23 years of service work- her culture. I know that One of the most mem- Beth Honsberger ing for the Métis Nation of she has been quite selfless orable events of her career Anne Huguenin Ontario (MNO), Senator Reta in sharing that with people “On behalf of the Métis as Senator was joining Andrea Jibb Gordon has retired from her and all of the work that she Nation of Ontario, I then Governor General Alis Kennedy Katelyn LaCroix role as PCMNO Executive Sen- has done,” said President would like to personally Michaëlle Jean and the Christa Lemelin ator—aA role she has served in since 2002. Froh. thank Senator Gordon Commissioners of the Candace Lloyd Senator Gordon has been actively shar- During her time with for her tremendous and Truth and Reconciliation Micheline Marchand ing her Métis culture since 1993. “She is one the MNO, Senator Gordon Commission at Rideau Sarah Marusyk of the founding members of the MNO,” said has represented the MNO selfless work that has Hall in 2009 for “Witness- Annik McBride MNO President Margaret Froh. “She was one at hundreds of gatherings helped propel the MNO ing the Future,”—a poi- Rebecca Menard of the couple of people that were working up from small intimate work- gnant and emotional event Dr. Darrell Menard into the great Nation that Joanne Meyer in Tony Belcourt’s attic for several years set- shops to large conferences it is today.” that launched the work of Benny Michaud ting the foundation for what it is that we have and events. She is always the Truth and Reconcilia- Mandy Montgomery today.” open to sharing her knowl- MNO President tion Commission. During Linda Montsion At the 2016 Annual General Assembly in edge with audiences young Margaret Froh the event, Senator Gordon Bill Morrison North Bay, President Froh said a few words and old. She takes serious- presented Governor Gen- Joan Panizza in tribute to Senator Gordon thanking her for ly the need to educate and eral Jean with a Métis sash. Joseph Paquette Tim Pile her service: inform people about Métis culture and gover- “On behalf of the Métis Nation of Ontario, Jill Plaunt Every year Senator Gordon “participates nance, and to explain what makes the Métis I would like to personally thank Senator Gor- Jordyn Playne and represents the Métis Nation of Ontario in distinct among the three Indigenous peoples don for her tremendous and selfless work that Joseph Poitras literally hundreds of events. I know that she of Canada recognized in the Canadian Con- has helped propel the MNO into the great Na- Derrick Pont is very very proud of her Métis heritage and stitution. tion that it is today,” said President Froh. Verna Porter-Brunelle Jaylin Renaud Pauline Richardson Paul Robitaille Amanda Pont-Shanks In the June 2016 Métis Voyageur Issue No. 91, we made the following errors, Todd Ross which we take full responsibility for and would like to amend: Storm Russell Correction notices Richard Sarrazin Robin Simpson Riley Smith MNO council meets with MPP MNO council meets with Anne Trudel Brian Tucker Lisa Gretzky Lieutenant Governor Dowdeswell Jim Turner Courtney Vaughan Marie-Claire Vignola Cecile Wagar Submissions: Communications Branch Métis Nation Of Ontario 500 Old St. Patrick Street, Unit D Ottawa ON K1N 9G4 MikeF@ Métisnation.org Publication #: PM40025265 2016-17 Submission deadlines: November 4, 2016 MNO Windsor Essex Kent Council meet with MPP Lisa Gretzky. MNO CRMC Treasurer Darlene Lent (middle) and Senator Bill January 20, 2017 (Left to right: Matthew Bombardier, Donna Grayer, Katie Baltzer, Morrison (left) present Lt. Gov. Dowdeswell (right) with a Métis sash. March 17, 2017 Peter Rivers, Wilfred Rochon, Jon Rochon, Lisa Gretzky, MPP NDP, This article should have been credited to MNO Credit River May 19, 2017 and Terry Dejardins.) Métis Council (CRMC) Senator Bill Morrison. We also posted a In this article, we included an incorrect photo caption; third poorly cropped photo of MNO CRMC Senator Bill Morrison with Recently Moved from left is Katie Baltzer and not Sue Morency. MNO CRMC Treasurer Darlene Lent and Lieutenant Governor or Moving Soon? Don’t forget to change your Dowdeswell. address with the Registry so that you will continue to receive We apologize for the inconvenience and take full responsibility for these mistakes. your Voyageur and updated information from the MNO. Submission Policy: The MNO encourages to accurately reflect the official names and submissions should NOT be written in the first contributions from MNO citizens and staff. titles of individuals, organization, bodies and person. Call 1-855-798-1006 ext. 2 All submissions are edited to conform to agencies referenced in submissions. The recommended length for a submission or send an email to the Canadian Press Style Guide as well as With the exception of letters to the editor is between 400 and 600 words. Submissions [email protected] for grammar, repetitiousness, spelling and and submissions to the family section, all longer than that may be edited for length. Métis Voyageur October 2016, Issue no. 92 A3 MÉTIS NATION of ONTARIO COMMISSION on Métis Rights & Self-Government n August 27, 2016, during her State of the Nation address at the 2016 Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Annual General Assembly (AGA) in North Bay, MNO President OMargaret Froh announced the formation of the MNO Commission on Métis Rights and Self-Government (the Commission). Establishing the Commission was one of President Froh’s major commitments during the recent MNO general election. President Froh announced the names of seven MNO ward on harvesting mobility and self-government. citizens from across Ontario who will serve on the Com- “This is the ideal time for our Commission to under- mission. “Our Commissioners--four women and three take its work,” stated President Froh, “the stars are in- men--come from across the province,” explained Presi- deed aligning for the Métis Nation – especially with the dent Froh, “and represent a good April 2016 Supreme Court decision cross section of our citizens includ- in Daniels v. Canada and the recent re- ing our youth, elders, harvesters, as “This is the port from Tom Isaac, The Ministerial well as French and Michif language ideal time for Special Representative on Métis Sec- speakers. Their job is to help lead a tion 35 Rights. This is an important forward-looking dialogue with our our Commission to time for the Métis Nation. Working citizens on some key issues—Métis together, we will build on these op- rights and self-government—to listen undertake portunities to create an even stronger, to citizens’ voices and report back.” its work.” healthier future for our people.” The Commissioners will consult The Commission will begin its en- and engage with MNO citizens in all MNO President Margaret Froh gagement session early in 2017, and 29 MNO communities across Ontario. complete the process by May 2017. They will encourage citizens to share The Commissioners will issue a report their thoughts on the MNO’s governance structures, in- of their findings and, working with the Provisional Coun- cluding how these can better reflect Métis community, cil of the Métis Nation of Ontario, present its findings MNO President Margaret Froh announces the identity and culture, and how the MNO can move for- and recommendations to the 2017 AGA. Commission at the 2016 AGA in North Bay. COMMISSIONER’S Biographies VICTOR BRUNELLE PEARL GABONA NELSON MONTREUIL PAUL ROBITAILLE Born and raised in Lafon- Pearl Gabona is a proud Nelson Montreuil became an Paul Robitaille holds a taine, Ontario, a small com- Métis woman whose fam- MNO citizen in 1996 and was Bachelor’s Degree in En- munity west of Midland, Vic- ily originated in Moon River. instrumental in re-starting the vironmental Science from tor Brunelle is a proud Métis She prides herself on her in- MNO Mattawa Métis Council McMaster University and a Nation of Ontario (MNO) citi- volvement with her family as (MMC) in 2008. He has been Forest Technician Diploma zen and descendant of the a wife, mother, grandmother President of the MNO MMC and Certificate in Aborigi- historic Drummond Island and elder. Pearl has a pas- ever since. Nelson’s family nal–Canadian Relations from Métis community. Vic now sion for working with those was identified in the Mattawa Confederation College. Paul lives in Huntsville—MNO Georgian Bay Re- with special needs. She has a grandson with Report as one of the root Métis families in the is now completing a Master’s Degree in For- gion 7. Multilingual, Vic speaks French, English autism and also volunteers as a respite worker region.